What is..
Fire Radiative Power (FRP)
Fire Radiative Power is the rate of emitted radiative energy by the fire at the time of the observation. The fire intensity can vary mainly in relation to the moisture content of the combustible material, the wind, air temperature, humidity and slope.
Fire Radiative Power is expressed in units of power, such as Watts (W) and the unit of measurement for FRP is kg * m^-2.
Source: Radiative power of wildfires
Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate matter is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.
Particle pollution includes:
PM10 : inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller
PM2.5 : fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.
Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter – making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.
These particles come in many shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.
Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires.
Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.
Please note that our data contains only PM 2.5 particles resulting from fires.
Source: United States Environment Protection Agency
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Dioxide or CO2 is a greenhouse gas that is natural and harmless in small quantities, but as levels rise it can affect productivity and sleep. Most commonly produced indoors by the air we exhale, CO2 levels concentrate indoors with less ventilation. Forest fire emissions are a significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2), not only affecting its interannual variability but also biogeochemical cycles with consequences for climate.
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